I have a lifetime pattern of having essentially no interest in sports. Last year that changed in a big way. Starting with the third game, I began to feel drawn to watch the Seahawks play football. From then on, I made a priority of watching every game. During the six weeks I was in India, I would follow the scoring on my Android. If the game occurred while I was asleep, checking the final score was my first priority of the morning. Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday: धन्यवाद: मार्ल (Thank You Marla)”
Tag: gratitude sunday
Gratitude Sunday
I met Amma in summer of 1989 and took my first trip to India in January 1990. I have traveled to India almost every year since then. The first two visits were short (10 days to 3 weeks). The third and fourth were for two months. From then on, my yearly journey has been for five or six weeks. Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday”
Gratitude Sunday
I am so grateful to Al, my ex-husband, who several years ago, on my birthday, gave me my first laptop. Al always recognizes Mother’s Day by giving me flowers but it is not our practice to exchange presents on birthdays or other events. I was so surprised, and delighted. I had wanted a laptop for a long time, but hadn’t made it happen.
I am so grateful to the friend, whom I know would want to remain unnamed, who has helped me with my various computers, year after year. For the last 15 years or so he has spent countless hours aiding me in setting them up, keeping them running and when it is time, guiding me in purchasing a new one.
I am so grateful to the laptop itself. There were many times during the last three years, when I felt like I lived on that computer; writing a monthly newsletter, corresponding with clients, family and friends, planning workshops, and organizing events. The laptop made it possible for me to begin blogging in March, so it has been even a bigger part of my life since then. For years, it has accompanied me around the U.S., and to Canada and India.
Over the last few months, it has become obvious that my laptop’s life span was quickly coming to the end. Last week there was no doubt that it was time for me to thank it for its years of service, say goodbye and move on to its successor. My friend once again helped me in making that transition.
So now I am so grateful for my new laptop. I love the feel of it and how well it runs! I anticipate that we will be working together for many years. I am particularly looking forward to all the blogging we will be doing!
Gratitude Sunday: Chaitanya
I am oh so grateful for my daughter Chaitanya. She was born on September 14, 1977 so today is her 37th birthday! I feel so blessed to have her in my life.
Chaitanya has always lived life fully, whether it be playing with her friends, participating in drill team, running track or doing the many other activities she enjoyed during her childhood and teenage years.
Sreejit, Chaitanya, and dad
She and her brother Sreejit have a very special relationship. The pictures below give just a tiny glimpse into their life together!
Best of friends
Chaitanya went to India for the first time in 1993. She felt so at home in that country, especially at Amma’s ashram. Over the next few years, she visited the ashram several times. On her 21st birthday she decided to move to India on a permanent basis, choosing to dedicate her life to supporting Amma’s humanitarian work. For many years, she has overseen the work at the cafe and canteen that serves Western food to ashram residents and visitors.
Chaitanya and her husband Akshay met at the ashram and have been together since she turned 28. They have so much in common and are blessed to have each other.
Her dad and I, of course, also have many memories of special times with her.
Playing around
When she was a young adolescent, Chaitanya loved watching old Broadway musicals, especially if Gene Kelly was involved. Over the years, she created numerous short plays of her own. Since 2009, however, she has written and directed hour-long musicals every year. The plays are performed on Christmas eve in Amritapuri. I recently wrote a post about one of them.
Below you will find the mp3 and lyrics for two of my favorite play songs; the first is from God is Able and the second is from A Guiding Light.
One segment of God is Able is about Rachel, the woman who was healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Rachel had been sick from childhood. The first words on the recording are from the mother, responding to Rachel’s concern that she (Rachel) is such a burden. Rachel then responds to her mother’s comments by singing this beautiful tune. I still cry when I hear it, especially if I’m also watching the play DVD.
Mama you’ve given your whole existence
To serving this child plagued with illness
You look exhausted, your face full of strain
It’s I who should be easing all of your pain.
If I had strength in this body of mine
I’d cook and I’d clean till the walls began to shine
I’d put your feet up, tea in your hand
Let you enjoy the life God has given
This may be a fantasy, an impractical dream
I just long to return the love you’ve shown to me
I’ve known there’s no cure a doctor can give
Only a higher power can change what’s been destined.
I pray to you dear God, if it’s your will from above
Give me the strength to overcome.
There’s nothing I want more than to ease her weary soul
To serve her is all I’m asking for.
*****
One part of A Guiding Light is about the three wise men who traveled to Judea to honor Jesus at the time of his birth. This song takes place at the beginning of that journey. (I recorded this song from the play DVD, using the voice recorder on my phone, so the sound certainly isn’t ideal, but it works!)
Wise men together:
High in the sky a star shines bright
Through unfamiliar paths it will be my guiding light
A journey I will make to a far off land
That I may greet God in the form of man
Wise man 1:
I shall bring to him this gift of gold
Treasure that never fades nor grows old
Gold represents his earthly kingship
In Righteousness he’ll rule, with love and virtue
Wise man 2:
I shall bring to him sweet Frankincense
These simple sticks hold great significance
They symbolize his priestly role in life
A burning offering of love and sacrifice
Wise man 3:
I will take this bottle of embalming oil
Though his body’s born, his soul is immortal
He is beyond both Birth and Death
Yet if he resides on earth life is surely blessed
Wise men together:
Yet if he resides on earth life is surely blessed
I am
so proud of you Chaitanya. You have grown into a remarkable, adult woman whose strength, talent and wisdom I admire greatly. Happy Birthday!
Love, Mom
Gratitude Sunday in Advance
I have been reading gratitude posts on SeasonedSistha2 for some time. She regularly participates in Gratitude Sunday and today I read her Thankful Thursday post. That got me thinking. Why have I not started participating in one of those weekly gratitude prompts?
To me, the ability to feel and express gratitude is an incredibly important component of healthy living. I once was taught that depression and gratitude cannot co-exist. I don’t know if that is actually a researched fact, but I believe it to be true. I know that when people begin to focus on gratitude, the negativity within them diminishes and their spirits lift. They also learn to see the positive in events that might normally be considered negative. Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday in Advance”
Living, Learning and Letting Go 